Peters & Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Federal Contracting Process

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Joni Ernst (R-IA), introduced bipartisan legislation to streamline procedures for solicitation and the awarding of task and delivery order contracts for agencies across the federal government. The bill will slim down the procurement process for contractors bidding on work as well as for the government, ensuring necessary due diligence is done while allowing awards to be made faster and to a wider array of contractors, including small businesses.   

“Our nation is at its best when the agencies that serve the American people run smoothly,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan bill streamlines the contracting process for federal government agencies, and as a result will boost small businesses trying to stay competitive and will increase efficiency for all government agencies, benefitting people across the nation.”   

“Entrepreneurs in Iowa and across the country deserve the opportunity to compete for federal contracts, but too much bureaucratic red tape stands in the way,” Ernst said. “I’m working to streamline processes for federal contracting through this bipartisan effort. By making the award process faster and wider, Iowa’s small businesses and entrepreneurs can better compete and succeed.” 

The bipartisan Conforming Procedures for Federal Task and Delivery Order Contracts Act would expand certain streamlining measures for placement of task and delivery order contracts that the Department of Defense currently has in place to all federal agencies. These measures will reduce duplication of documentation requirements for agencies, and provide for a more nimble and meaningful bidding process and evaluation of proposals.